DeMarre Carroll

The Raptors made a rare splash in free agency last season, inking Carroll to a four-year, $58 million contract to give the team a needed 3-and-D wing to complement their co-stars, Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan. While Toronto was able to roll to a franchise-record 56 wins, it'...

Carroll posted his second straight strong campaign as the Hawks' primary wing defender and a complementary piece on offense and was able to parlay that skill set into a four-year, $60 million contract from the conference rival Raptors. While the size of the contract might seem outrageous if you focus exclusively on Carroll's traditional stats, as he averaged a fairly modest 31 minutes, 12.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.3 steals, 0.2 blocks, and 1.7 three-pointers in 70 games last season while shooting 49 percent from the floor, 40 percent from three-point range, and 70 percent from the free-throw line, his defensive reputation more than justifies the deal, although some advanced metrics had him performing at a much higher level in 2013-14 than he did last season. He's also joining a roster that will provide him with much less support in his own end, as DeMar DeRozan and Patrick Patterson are a defensive downgrade from Kyle Korver and Paul Millsap. Nonetheless, the 29-year-old figures to play a significant role in the Raptors' starting five as a pure 3-and-D player, and Carroll will be a key part of the team's core as they attempt to get over the hump and push deeper into the postseason.

2014-15

Carroll's first season in Atlanta was easily the best of his five-year NBA career. The journeyman forward quickly established himself as a starter for coach Mike Budenholzer and posted career-best numbers in games played (73), minutes (32), points (11.1), rebounds (5.5), assists (1.8), three-pointers made (1.3), and shooting (47 percent from the field). Carroll came into the season known primarily as a lock-down defender, so the scoring was a particularly nice surprise for a team missing its best player for much of the season. He may be hard-pressed to match those numbers this season, as the Hawks are much deeper on the wing after adding Thabo Sefolosha and Kent Bazemore to the mix over the summer.

2013-14

Carroll has earned the reputation of defensive stopper. His hard-nosed play and ability to defend multiple positions makes him an invaluable commodity for Atlanta. He averaged 16.8 minutes as a teammate of Paul Millsap, both formerly of the Jazz last season. The two will again team up to provide contrasting styles. Carroll is not fantasy friendly in most leagues.

2010-11

Carroll will serve time as a backup at both forward slots in 2010-11. His most productive periods last year came when either Rudy Gay or Zach Randolph was hobbled by injury, and the same will hold true for this season.

2009-10

Carroll is an energy guy who should provide some frontcourt depth. He played in a high-octane offense at Mizzou, which could translate well to what the Grizzlies are trying to do.